My Pet Rock

It was during the pet rock craze in the nineteen seventies, I had to be young about four or five years old. I still had a sense of humor even for being that young. My family at that point could not afford much, so as a crafting activity when I asked for a pet rock from my mother; she suggested I make one. She drove me to the river to find the perfect rock, I found three! Once home again she let me loose with crayons to make my own pet rock and one for my older brother who was at school. I also made one for my first crush, but that is a story for another time. I must have work an hour on these masterpieces bringing them to life the way that I wanted them, which for someone of that age is quite a long time!

After the activity I stashed my brother’s pet rock in our room on his dresser to where he could see it when he came home from school. I stashed the pet rock for my first love in my dresser where no one could see, saving it for the day her and I could spend time together and I would give it to her then. I kept my pet rock out to play with. My mother was busy with her house chores and I tried not to be a bother for the most part. Before too long she realized she had to go to the bank, and we were off. I brought my newly made pet with me as we went.

My mother and I waited our turn in the bank in the small town where I grew up. This town was so small that my brother and I could get in trouble and before we could make it home our parents would have already heard about it three times from three different sources. The bank manager knew my mother and strolled up and had a conversation with her while she waited. Then he noticed me sitting there with my pet rock. The conversation went something like this:

Banker Bob “hello J (Full name stricken from the record) what do you have there?”

Me “this is my new pet rock!”

Banker Bob “Really? Does your pet rock do any tricks?”

Me “why yes he does!”

Banker Bob “really? What does he do?”

Me “He breaks windows!”

 

At this point Banker Bob (Yes his name was really Bob), the tellers, the other patrons and my mother all proceeded to bust out laughing. Not a chuckle, but the type of sheer laughter that made you have to dry your eyes afterward. Yes, at a young age I knew how to bring down the house. They should have hung the closed sign up for the rest of the day, because they were not going to hear a better one for quite some time! I am sure Banker Bob had a three martini lunch while sharing his conversation with me with the other lunch goers. As of writing this I realize how much I miss my mother, Banker Bob and the backwoods little town I grew up in. I also realize that I miss the girl I had the crush on, lucky for me she and I still talk from time to time. But no matter how much you wish you may be able to visit the same locations but you cannot unwind the hands of time.

Reviews

[Diamond]

Nostalgic, filled with sweet memories. The little nothings of childhood. Everything we did and didn't do was fun. And sure all that is behind what we are this day. I could see the little you from your eyes. Thank you for sharing it.

[lark1311]

Woopee! New chapters. Short, funny, poignant, nostalgic. Sweeeet.